Annotations upon the five bookes of Moses, the booke of the Psalmes, and the Song of Songs, or, Canticles VVherein the Hebrevv vvords and sentences, are compared with, and explained by the ancient Greeke and Chaldee versions, and other records and monuments of the Hebrewes: but chiefly by conference with the holy Scriptures, Moses his words, lawes and ordinances, the sacrifices, and other legall ceremonies heretofore commanded by God to the Church of Israel, are explained. With an advertisement touching some objections made against the sinceritie of the Hebrew text, and allegation of the Rabbines in these annotations. As also tables directing unto such principall things as are observed in the annotations upon each severall booke. By Henry Ainsworth.

CHAP. XXVI.

1 The summe of all the men of Israel from twen∣tie yeares old and upward, is taken in the plaines of Moab. 5. The families and numbers of Reuben. 12 Simeon. 15 Gad. 19 Iudah. 23 Issachar. 26 Zabulon. 29 Manasseh. 35 Ephraim. 38 Benjamin. 42 Dan. 44 Aser. 48 Nath∣tali. 51 The summe of them all. 52 The Law of dividing among them the inheritance of the land. 57 The families and number of the Levites. 62 The cause why they were not numbred among the Israe∣li••es. 63 None were left of them which were num∣bred at Sinai, but Caleh and Iosua.

ANd it was after the plague that Ieho∣vah said unto Moses, and unto Elea∣zar, [unspec 1] the sonne of Aaron the Priest, saying; Take ye the summe of all the con∣gregation [unspec 2] of the sonnes of Israel, from twen∣tie yeares old and upward, according to the house of their fathers, every one that goeth forth with the armie in Israel. And Moses [unspec 3] and Eleazar the Priest spake with them in the plains of Moab, by Iordan neere Iericho, saying; From twentie yeares old and up∣ward, [unspec 4] as Iehovah commanded Moses, and the sonnes of Israel which went forth out of the land of Egypt.

Reuben, the first-borne of Israel; the sons [unspec 5] of Reuben, of Enoch, the familie of the Eno∣chites; of Phallu, the familie of the Phallu∣ites. Of Hezron, the familie of the Hezro∣nites; [unspec 6] of Carmi, the familie of the Carmites.

These are the families of the Reubenites, [unspec 7] and they that were mustered of them were three and fortie thousand, and seven hundred and thirtie. And the sonnes of Phallu, Eli∣ab. [unspec 8] [unspec 9] And the sonnes of Eliab, Nemuel, and Dathan and Abiram: this is that Dathan and Abiram, the called of the congregation, who strove against Moses, & against Aaron, in the congregation of Korah, when they strove against Iehovah. And the earth opened her [unspec 10] mouth and swallowed up them, and Korah, when the congregation died; when the fire devoured two hundred and fiftie men, and they were for a signe. But the sonnes of [unspec 11] Korah died not.

The sonnes of Simeon, according to their [unspec 12] families; Of Nemuel, the familie of the Ne∣muelites; of Iamin, the familie of the Iami∣nites; of Iachin, the familie of the Iachinites.

Of Zerah, ••he familie of the Zarhites; of [unspec 13] [unspec 14] Saul, the familie of the Saulites. These are the families of the Simeonites; two and twentie thousand, and two hundred.

The sonnes of Gad, according to their fami∣lies; [unspec 15] of Zephon, the familie of the Zepho∣nites; of Haggi, the familie of the Haggites; of Suni, the familie of the Sunites. Of Oz∣ni, [unspec 16] the familie of the Oznites; Of Eri, the fa∣milie of the Erites. Of Arod, the familie of [unspec 17] the Arodites; of Areli, the familie of the A∣relites. These are the families of the sonnes [unspec 18] of Gad, according to those that were mustered of them, fortie thousand and five hundred.

The sonnes of Iudah were Er and Onan: [unspec 19] and Er and Onan died in the land of Ca∣naan. And the sonnes of Iudah, according to [unspec] their families, were; of Selah, the familie of the Selanites; of Pharez, the familie of the Pharzites; of Zarah, the familie of the Zar∣hites. And the sonnes of Pharez were of [unspec 21] Hezron, the familie of the Hezronites; of Ha∣mul, the familie of the Hamulites. These [unspec 22] are the families of Iudah, according to those that were mustered of them, seventie and six thousand, and five hundred.

The sonnes of Issachar, according to their fa∣milies: [unspec 23] of Thola, the familie of the Tholaites; of Phuva, the familie of the Phunites. Of [unspec 24] Iashub, the familie of the Iashubites; of Sim∣ron, the familie of the Simronites. These [unspec 25] are the families of Issachar, according to those that were mustered of them, sixtie and foure thousand, and three hundred.

The sonnes of Zabulon, according to their [unspec 26] families; of Sered, the familie of the Sar∣dites; of Elon, the familie of the Elonites; of Iahleel, the familie of the Iahleelites. These are the families of the Zabulonites, ac∣cording [unspec 27] to those that were mustered of them, sixtie thousand and five hundred.

The sons of Ioseph, according to their fami∣lies, [unspec 28] [unspec 29] were Man esses and Ephraim. The sons of Manasses; of Machir, the family of the Ma∣chirites; and Machir begat Gilead; of Gilead, the familie of the Gileadites. These are the [unspec 30] sons of Gilead; of Ieezer, the familie of the Ieezerites: of Helek, the familie of the Hele∣kites. And of Asriel, the familie of the As∣rielites: [unspec 31] and of Shechem, the familie of the Shechemites. And of Shemida, the familie [unspec 32] of the Shemidaites; and of Hepher, the fami∣lie of the Hepherites. And Zelophehad [unspec 33] the sonne of Hepher had no sonnes, but daughters: and the names of the daughters of Zelophehad, were Machlah, and Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah. These are the [unspec 34] families of Manasses; and those that were mustered of them, two and fiftie thousand, and seven hundred.

These are the sonnes of Ephraim, according [unspec 35] to their families: of Shuthelah, the familie of the Shuthalhites; of Becher, the familie of the Bachrites; of Tahan, the familie of the Tahanites. And these are the sonnes of [unspec 36] Shuthelah: of Eran, the familie of the Era∣nites. These are the families of the sonnes [unspec 37] of Ephraim, according to those that were mu∣stered of them, two and thirtie thousand and five hundred; these are the sonnes of Ioseph, according to their families.

The sonnes of Benjamin, according to their [unspec 38] families: of Bela, the familie of the Belaites; of Ashbel, the familie of the Ashbelites; of

Ahiram, the familie of the Ahiramites. Of [unspec 39] Shephupham, the familie of the Shupha∣mites; of Hupham, the familie of the Hupha∣mites. And the sonnes of Bela were Ard [unspec 40] and Naaman, the familie of the Ardites; of Naaman, the familie of the Naamites. These are the sonnes of Benjamin, according [unspec 41] to their families, and those that were muste∣red of them, five and fortie thousand and six hundred.

These are the sonnes of Dan, according to [unspec 42] their families; of Shuham, the familie of the Shuhamites: these are the families of Dan, according to their families. All the families [unspec 43] of the Shuhamites, according to those that were mustered of them, sixty and foure thou∣sand and foure hundred.

The sonnes of Aser, according to their fa∣milies; [unspec 44] of Iimnah, the familie of the Iim∣naites; of Iisvi, the familie of the Iisvites; of Beriah, the familie of the Beriites. Of the [unspec 45] sonnes of Beriah; of Cheber, the familie of the Chebrites; of Malchiel, the familie of the Malchielites. And the name of the [unspec 46] [unspec 47] daughter of Aser was Serah. These are the families of the sonnes of Aser, according to those that were mustered of them, three and fiftie thousand and foure hundred.

The sonnes of Naphtali, according to their [unspec 48] families; of Iachzeel, the familie of the Iach∣zeelites; of Guni, the familie of the Gunites.

Of Iezer, the familie of the Iizrites: of Sil∣lem, [unspec 49] [unspec 50] the familie of the Sillemites. These are the families of Naphtali, according to their families, and they that were mustered of them, five and fortie thousand and foure hundred.

These were the mustered of the sonnes of [unspec 51] Israel; six hundred thousand, and a thousand seven hundred and thirtie.

And Iehovah spake unto Moses, saying; [unspec 52] [unspec 53]

Vnto these the land shall be divided for an inheritance, according to the number of names. To the many thou shalt give them [unspec 54] the more inheritance, and to the few thou shalt give them the lesse inheritance: to every man according to those that were mustered of him, shall his inheritance be given. Not∣withstanding, the land shall be divided by lot; [unspec 55] according to the names of the tribes of their fathers they shall inherit. According to the lot, shall the inheritance thereof be [unspec 56] divided betweene many and few.

And these are they that were mustered of the Levites, according to their families; of [unspec 57] Gershon, the familie of the Gershonites; of Kohath, the familie of the Kohathites; of Me∣rari, the familie of the Merarites. These are [unspec 58] the families of the Levites, the familie of the Libnites, the familie of the Hebronites, the familie of the Mahlites, the familie of the Mushites, the familie of the Korachites: and Kohath begat Amram. And the name of [unspec 59] Amrams wife was Iochebed the daughter of Levi, whom she bare to Levi in Egypt: and she bare unto Amram, Aaron and Moses, and Mary their sister. And unto Aaron [unspec 60] was borne Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar. And Nadab and Abihu died, [unspec 61] when they offered strange fire before Ieho∣vah. And those that were mustered of them, [unspec 62] were three and twentie thousand, all males, from a moneth old and upward, for they were not mustered among the sonnes of Is∣rael, because there was no inheritance given to them among the sonnes of Israel.

These are they that were mustered by Mo∣ses [unspec 63] and Eleazar the Priest, who mustered the sonnes of Israel in the plaines of Moab by Iordan, neere Iericho. And among these, [unspec 64] there was not a man of those that were muste∣red by Moses and Aaron the Priest, who mu∣stered the sonnes of Israel in the wildernesse of Sinai. For Iehovah had said of them, [unspec 65] Dying they shall die in the wildernesse: and there was not left a man of them, save Caleb the sonne of Iephunneh, and Ioshua the sonne of Nun.

Annotations.

AFter the plague] after the death of the 24 [unspec 1] thousand that perished for the sinne of Peor, (Num. 25. 9.) the Lord commandeth the people to be numbred, which should have inheritance in his land; to signifie his love and care of those that cleaved unto him, Deut. 4. 3, 4. The Hebrewes explaine it by the similitude of a shepherd, who when wolves have gotten among his flocke, and w••rried some of them, he counteth them, to know the number of those that are left. Againe; As when they came out of Egypt, and were delivered to Moses, they were delivered him by tale, (Exod. 38. 26.) so now when Moses was ready to die, and to deliver his flock again, he delivered them by tale. Sol. Iarchi on Num. 26. Eleazar] who now was high Priest after the death of Aaron his father, who had before num∣bred them with Moses, Num. 1. 3. And this Elea∣zar was he, who after with Iosua divided the land of Canaan to this people, Ios. 14. 1. &c.

Vers. 2. the summe] Hebr. the head; which [unspec 2] the Chaldee expoundeth, the count, or summ••: see Exod. 30. 12. This was the third time that Israel was numbred for to fight the Lords battels agains••

the Canaanites, and to receive their land for an in∣heritance. See the Annotations on Num. 1. 2. 20 yeares old] Hebr. sonne of twentie yeare: see Num. 1. 3. house] that is, as the Greeke explai∣neth it, houses of their fathers. Iarchi saith, they were reckoned by the tribe of the father, and not after the mother: So in Num. 1. 2. goeth forth with the armie] able to goe out to warre the warfare of the Lord: see the notes on Num. 1. 3.

Vers. 3. spake with them] in Chaldee, spake, and [unspec 3] said to number them; but Targum Ionathan ad∣deth, spake with the Princes, and said, to number them. So it accordeth with Num. 1. 4. plaines] or, champion countrey of Moab: see Num. 22. 1.

Vers. 4. From 20 yeares old] Hebr. from a sonne of 20 yeares; as vers. 2. and here is to be under∣stood, [unspec 4] the people are to be numbred, or the like.

Vers. 5. the first-borne] Reuben for this cause is [unspec 5] here first numbred, as also in Num. 1. 5, 20. though he lost his dignity by his sinne, 1 Chron. 5. 1. and was put downe to the second quarter, as they en∣camped about the Sanctuarie, and marched to∣wards Canaan, Num. 2. 10.—16. Enoch] in Hebr. Chanoch. see Gen. 5. 18. and 46. 9. of the Enochites] Hebr. of the Enochite, (or Chanochite) the singular number put for the plurall: so after thorowout this chapter. See the annotations on Gen. 10. 16. And here Reuben hath foure families, according to Gen. 46. 9. and 1 Chron. 5. 3.

Vers. 7. mustered] or numbred; Hebr. visited. [unspec 7] See the notes on Num. 1. 3. 43 thousand, &c.] at the former muster they were 46 thousand and five hundred, Num. 1. 21. so they increased not, but decreased whiles they travelled in the wildernesse.

Vers. 9. the called] that is, renowned, famous: [unspec 9] see Num. 1. 16. and 16. 1, 2. &c. strove] in Greeke, made insurrection: in Chaldee, gathered themselves together. This mutinie stirred by the chiefe of the tribe, seemeth to be one cause of their decrease by the hand of God against them.

Vers. 10. and Korah] that is, the men and goods [unspec 10] that pertained unto Korah, as Num. 16 32. the congregation died] in Greeke, his congregation, meaning Korahs, as Num. 16. 40. 250 men] that offered incense, Num. 16. 35. for a signe] or, for an ensigne, a banner; the Greeke and Chal∣dee translate it, a signe: whereby God signified his anger to be displaied against all that should rebell in like manner. In Num. 16. 40. it is called A memoriall unto the sonnes of Israel, that no stranger, &c. come ne••re to offer incense before Iehovah; that he be not as Korah, &c. Of such things the Apo∣stle saith, they were our examples, 1 Cor. 10. 6.

Vers. 11. died not] to wit, either by that fire, or [unspec 11] by the swallowing up of the earth, Num. 16. 32. 35. It seemeth they consented not to their fathers rebellion, or at least repented at the warning given by Moses, Num. 16. 5. &c. The sons of Korah were Assir▪ and Elkanah, and Abjasaph, Exod 6. 24. these and their posteritie lived and kept their office in Israel; for their genealogie is reckoned in 1 Chron. 6. 22.—38. and they were appointed by David to be singers in the house of the Lord, 1 Chro. 6. 31. 32. and of them came Samuel the Prophet, 1 Chron. 6. 33, 34. compared with 1 Sam. 1. 20. and Heman, who with his off-spring were singers, 1 Chron. 6. 33. and 25. 4, 5, 6. And many Psalmes have in their titles, To the sonnes of Korah, as Psal. 42. and 44 and 45. and 46. and 47. and 48. and 49. and 84. and 85. and 87. and 88.

Vers. 12. Nemuel] called also Iemuel, in Gen. [unspec 12] 46. 10. and Exod. 6. 15. in Greeke here, Namov••l. So in 1 Chron. 4. 24. Iachin] in Greeke, A∣chein: he is called Iarib, in 1 Chron. 4. 24.

Vers. 13. Zerah] in Greeke, Zara; so in 1 Chr. [unspec 13] 4. 24. elsewhere called Zohar, Gen. 46. 10. Exod. 6. 15. Saul] the sonne of a Canaanitesse, Gen. 46. 10.

Vers. 14. These are the families] to wit, which [unspec 14] remained: for there was one familie more of O∣bad, Gen. 46. 10 Exod. 6. 15. but that was extinct in the wildernesse, and therefore omitted here and in 1 Chron. 4. 24. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and 200.] their num∣ber was greatly diminished; for at the former mu∣ster, they were 59 thousand and 300, Num. 1. 23. Among other sinnes, that forementioned in Num. 25. 14. seemeth to be a speciall cause hereof. And Moses blessing all the other tribes before his death, maketh no expresse mention of Simeons, in Deut. 33.

Vers. 15. Gad] though hee was not the next [unspec 15] borne to Simeon, nor of that mother, yet is he 〈…〉〈…〉∣stered in the third place, because hee was joyned with Reuben and Simeon in the South quarter, as they encamped about the Sanctuarie, Num. 2. 10. 14. Zephon] in Greeke, Sapho••, he was called also Ziphion. in Gen. 46. 16.

Vers. 16. Oz••i] in Greeke, Az••ni: in Gen. 46. [unspec 16] 16. he is named Ezbo••.

Vers. 17. Arod] in Greeke, Aroadi, and in Gen. [unspec 17] 46 16. Arodi.

Vers. 18. and five hundred] so this tribe had few∣er [unspec 18] now by five thousand one hundred and fiftie men, than at the former muster, Num. 2. 15.

Vers. 19. and Onan died] both of them died [unspec 19] without issue, God did cut them off for their wic∣kednesse in their youth, Gen. 38. 7. 10.

Vers. 20. Selah] in Greeke, Selon. [unspec 20] [unspec 21]

Vers. 21. of Pharez] The sonnes of Iudah were five in all, Gen. 38. so noted by the holy Ghost, in 1 Chron. 2. 4. they were all to have beene heads of families; but two dying childlesse, here are taken two of his sonnes sonnes (H••zron and Hamul) in their stead; and these were of Pharez, (the second brother of the twinnes, Gen. 38. 28, 29.) of whom our Lord Christ came according to the flesh, Matth. 1. So Iudah hath five families continued, according to the number of his five sonnes.

Vers. 22. and six thousand] at the first muster [unspec 22] he had but 74 thousand and six hundred, Num. 2. 4. now he is increased nineteene hundred mo••: and as he, so all the tribes under his standard were increased also; whereas in Reubens they were all diminished. For Iudah prevailed above his bre∣thren, for the honour of Christ who was to come of his stocke: see 1 Chron. 5. 2. Gen. 49. 8.—10. Heb. 7. 14.

Vers. 23. Issachar] he is numbred next Iudah, [unspec 23] for he was next him under his standard, Num. 2. 5. next him graved on the high Priests brest-plate, Exod. 28. borne next of the same mother Leah, Gen. 30. 17, 18. Of him and his foure families here reckoned, see the notes on Gen. 46. 13. Phu∣vah] called also Phuah, in 1 Chron. 7. 1. and so here in Greeke, Phova.

Vers. 24. Iashub] hee is called Iob, in Gen. [unspec 24] 46. 13.

Vers. 25. 64 thousand] hee had before but 54 [unspec 25] thousand and foure hundred, Num. 2. 6. so that his tribe is increased nine thousand and nine hundred men of warre.

Vers. 26. Zabulon] or Zebulun, hee was next [unspec 26] brother to Issachar, Gen. 30. 19, 20. next him on Aarons brest-plate, Exod. 28. and next him in marching and camping about the Tabernacle, Num. 2. His three families continue here, as they were in Gen. 46. 14.

Vers. 27. sixtie thousand, &c.] who were before [unspec 27] 57 thousand and foure hundred, Num. 2. 8. so they are increased three thousand and one hundred men.

Vers. 28. Ioseph] of him came two tribes, for [unspec 28] hee had the first birth-right, a double portion, 1 Chron. 5. 2. Gen. 48. 1. 5.

Vers. 29. Manasses] he, though the elder bro∣ther, [unspec 29] was put downe to the second place, by Iakobs prophesie, Gen. 48. 14. 19, 20. and by Gods dispo∣sition of the tribes, Num. 2. 18. 20. yet here hee is mustered before Ephraim the standard-bearer; as his armie was increased in the wildernesse, when Ephraims was diminished, which after doth ap∣peare. Machir] he was the sonne of Manasses by his concubine an Aramitesse, 1 Chron. 7. 14. Gilead] in Greeke, Galaad. There was also a place called Gilead, which the sonnes of this Machir con∣quered, and had it for their possession, Num. 32. 39, 40. Ios. 17. 1.

Vers. 30. Ieezer] in Greeke, Achiezer: in Ios. [unspec 30] 17. 2. Abiezer. Here not onely the sonnes sonnes (as was noted before of Iudah, vers. 21.) but the sonnes sonnes sonnes are made heads of families in the tribe of Manasses: the like whereof is not in any other tribe. This honour hath Ioseph above his brethren; who also whiles he lived, saw unto Ephraim sonnes of the third generation: also the sonnes of Machir sonne of Manasses, were borne up∣on Iosephs knees, Gen. 50. 23. And Manasses here hath eight families, when no other tribe hath so many.

V. 33. Zelophehad] or Zelophehad, in Greek, S••lpa∣••d. [unspec 33] the names] Hebr. the name. Machlah] in Greeke their names are written, Maala, Nova, Aigla, Melcha, and Thersa: Of these daughters, see Num. 27. 1. &c. Num. 36 11. Ios. 17. 3.

Vers. 34. 52 thousand, &c.] he had before but [unspec 34] 32 thousand and 200. Num. 2. 21. so that now hee was increased 20 thousand and five hundred men of warre: none of all the other tribes had halfe so much increase. Thus Iakobs prophesie is fulfilled, Ioseph shall be the sonne of a fruitfull Uine, Gen. 49. 22.

Vers. 35. Shuthelah] in Greeke, Southala. Be∣cher] [unspec 35] this some thinke to be he which is called Be∣red, in 1 Chron. 7. 20. Tahan] or Tachan; in Greeke, Tanach, by transposition of letters.

Vers. 36. Eran] in 1 Chron. 7. 26. called Edan [unspec 36] (or Laadan:) so the Greeke here writeth him Eden, for the likenesse of the Hebrew letters, whereof see the Annotations on Gen. 4. 18. and Num. 2. 14. Of this Eran (or Edan) came Iosua the sonne of Nun, 1 Chro. 7. 26, 27. And here E∣phraims sonnes sonne is head of a familie, as was before in Iudahs tribe, vers. 21.

Vers. 37. 32 thousand, &c.] he had before 40 [unspec 37] thousand, Num. 2. 19. so eight thousand of this tribe are now diminished.

Vers. 38. Bela] in Greeke, Bale: he was Benja∣mins [unspec 38] first-borne, 1 Chron. 8. 1. Ashbel] called Iediael, 1 Chron. 7. 6. Benjamins second sonne, 1 Chron. 8. 1. The Greeke here writeth him As••∣ber, or as some copies have it, Asubel. Abiram] or, Achiram, in Greeke, Acheiran: elsewhere he is named Aechi, Gen. 46. 22. and Achrah the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 sonne of Benjamin, 1 Chron. 8. 1.

Vers. 39. Shephupham] in Greeke, Sopha••, in [unspec 39] 1 Chron. 7. 12. he is called S••uppim, in Gen. 46. 22. Muppim. Hupham] otherwise Huppim, Gen. 46. 22. 1 Chron. 7. 12.

Vers. 40. Ard] in Greeke, Ader: so in 1 Chro. [unspec 40] 8. 3. the Hebrew writeth him Adar. the fami∣lie] understand (as the Greeke also supplieth) of Ard, the familie of the Ardites. Here Benjamin hath but seven families, who in Gen. 46. 21. had ten.

Vers. 41. 45 thousand, &c.] hee had before but [unspec 41] 35 thousand and 400. Num. 2. 23. now his number is increased ten thousand and two hundred; that though his families were diminished, yet hee had the greatest increase of men of warre amongst all the tribes, save Manasseh and Aser.

Vers. 42. Shuham] or Shucham, called by trans∣placing [unspec 42] of letters Hushim (or Chushim) in Gen. 46. 23. in Greeke, Same.

Vers. 43. 64 thousand, &c.] of one familie of [unspec 43] Dan there sprang so many thousand men, that none of all the tribes save Iudah have the like multitude: and he is increased 17 hundred men moe than at the former numbring, Num. 2. 26.

Vers. 44. Iimnah] in Greeke, Iamein. 〈◊〉〈◊〉] [unspec 44] in Greeke, I••sovi. Betweene these there was ano∣ther called Iisvah, Gen. 46. 17. whose familie here omitted, seemeth to be perished.

Vers. 45. Cheber] or Heber, in Greeke, Cheber: [unspec 45] of his posteritie, see 1 Chron. 7. 32. Here Asers sonnes sonnes are also heads of families, as were before in Iudah and Ephraim, vers. 21. and 36.

Vers 46. Serah] or Serach; in Greeke, Sara [unspec 46] mentioned also in Gen. 46. 17. 1 Chron. 7. 30.

Vers. 47. 53 thousand, &c.] when before 〈◊〉〈◊〉 [unspec] had but 45 thousand and five hundred, Num. 2. 28. that his increase in the wildernesse was elev•••• thousand and nine hundred men of warre: none but Manasseh was before him.

Vers. 48. Naphtali] in Greeke, Naphthal〈…〉〈…〉. [unspec 48] Iachzeel] in Greeke, Asiel. The foure families of Napthtali continue, as in Gen. 46. 24.

Vers. 50. 45 thousand, &c.] wheras before he had been 53 thousand and 4 hundred, Num. 2. 30. so that [unspec 50] eight thousand fewer are at the last than at the first.

Vers. 51. and a thousand, &c.] The number of all at the former count was 600 thousand, and three [unspec 51] thousand, and 550, Num. 2. 32. so that now in the whole summe the host of Israel is decreased in their 38 yeares traveil, eighteene hundred and twentie men, exempting the Levites which were num∣bred apart. Wherein Gods worke for them all in generall, and for the tribes and families in particu∣lar is to be regarded. When they were under bon∣dage and affliction in Egypt, they multiplied like fish, and filled the land, Exod. 1. (for outward per∣secution increaseth the Church, and lesseneth it not:) but when they were come out from that iron furnace, and carried of God as on Eagles wings, thorow the wildernesse in safetie, they so provoked him by their murmurings, rebellions, and idolatries, that he consumed their dayes in vani∣ty, and their yeares in hastie terrour, Psal. 78. 17.—33. And though amongst other blessings, God give them his lawes to direct them, Exod. 20. &c. and his good spirit to instruct them, Neh. 9. 20. and led them like a flock, by the hand of Moses and Aa∣ron, Psal. 77. 21. yet learned they not obedience, but mount Sinai gendred to bondage, Gal. 4. 24. and the Law wrought wrath, Rom. 4. 15. and Mo∣ses their Law-giver could not bring them into the promised land, but left that unto his successor Ie∣sus the son of Nun, who figured Iesus the Sonne of God, by whom commeth grace and truth, and the inheritance of the Kingdome of heaven, Deut. 31. 2. 7. 14. Ioh. 1. 17. Rom. 6. 23.

The speciall hand of God touching the tribes, and the mothers that bare them, and the families and persons that proceeded of them, may thus be viewed:

Seven of the twelve tribes did increase in multi∣tude as they travelled, besides the tribe of Levi, which also was a thousand at the last numbring moe than at the first, ver. 62.

• 1 Iudah increased 1900.
• 2 Issachar 9900.
• 3 Zabulon 3100.
• 4 Manasseh 20500.
• 5 Benjamin 10200.
• 6 Dan 1700.
• 7 Aser 11900.

The summe of all increased, was nine and fiftie thousand and two hundred, besides the thousand Levites. Notwithstanding the decrease of the five 〈◊〉〈◊〉 was more: for

• 1 Reuben decreased 2770.
• 2 Simeon—37100.
• 3 Gad—5150.
• 4 Ephraim—8000.
• 5 Naphtali—8000.

So the summe of all that were diminished, was one and sixtie thousand and twentie men.

Observe also the worke of God in respect of Ia∣kobs wives, the foure mothers of the tribes, Leah, R〈…〉〈…〉el, Zilpah, and Bilhah, whom the holy Ghost mentioneth in Gen. 46. 15. 18, 19. 25.

1 Leah was multiplied

• in Iudah 1900.
• in Issachar 9900.
• in Zabulon 3100.

So the fruit of Leahs body increased in the wil∣dernesse, fourteene thousand and nine hundred, besides the thousand of Levi.

2 Rachel was multiplied

• in Manasseh 20500.
• in Benjamin 10200.

So Rachels increase was thirtie thousand and seven hundred.

3 Zilphah Leahs handmaid increased in her son Aser, eleven thousand and nine hundred.

4 Bilhah Rachels handmaid was multiplied in her son Dan seventeene hundred. Thus God un∣parted his blessing among them all, but chiefly to Rachel whom Iakob loved; for her increase was more than of all the other three.

They were likewise all of them partakers of his chastisements in their posteritie: for,

1 Leah was diminished in Reuben, 2770. in Si∣meon, 37100. so the lost of her increase in the wil∣dernesse, nine and thirtie thousand eight hundred and seventie men.

2 Rachel was diminished in Ephraim, 8000.

3 Zilphah lost in Gad her sonne, five thousand one hundred and fiftie.

4 Bilhah lost in Naphtali, eight thousand men.

So the farre greatest losse was Leahs, who now might weepe for her children, because they were not, as long after befell unto Rachel, Mat. 2. 18.

Againe, as the twelve tribes camped in foure quarters about the tabernacle, Num 2. so the hand of God for the increase and diminishing of their campes may be seene thus:

In the first and chiefest quarter Eastward, were IVDAH, Issachar, and Zabulon, all increased. Iudah was the father and figure of Christ, under whose standard, all that camp & march are blessed.

In the second quarter Southward, were REV∣BEN, Simeon, and Gad, who were all diminished; as Reuben for his sin lost his honor and birthright, 1 Chro. 5. 1. so his sons rebelled, Num. 16. and Si∣meon sinned with an high hand, Num. 25.

In the third quarter Westward, were EPHRA∣IM, Manasseh, and Benjamin; of whom the first was diminished, the other two increased.

In the fourth quarter Northward, were DAN, Aser, and Naphtali; of whom the two former were multiplied, the third and last diminished.

Concerning the families of the tribes (excepting Levi) they are 57 in all. For here are families

• 1 Of Manasseh 8.
• 2 Of Benjamin 7.
• 3 Of Gad 7.
• 4 Of Simeon 5.
• 5 Of Iudah 5.
• 6 Of Aser 5.
• 7 Of Reuben 4.
• 8 Of Issachar 4.
• 9 Of Ephraim 4.
• 10 Of Naphtali 4.
• 11 Of Zabulon 3.
• 12 Of Dan 1.

The sum of all the families is 57: to whom if we adde the twelve tribes, and Iakob himselfe the fa∣ther of them all, the whole number is Seventie, w^ch was the number of the soules of Iakobs house that went into Egypt, Gen. 46. 27. But comparing these now with the heads of families named in

Gen. 46. we shall see five families rooted out; one of Simeon, Leahs son; one of Aser, the son of Leahs handmaid; and three of Benjamin, Rachels son; whose ten families are decayed unto seven. In these numbers, increase and decrease of the tribes and fa∣milies of Israel, we may behold that w^ch lob saith of Gods works; Who knoweth not in all these, that the hand of the Lord hath wrought this? in whose hand is the soule of every living thing, and the breath of all flesh of man. Behold he breaketh downe, and it cannot be built againe: he shutteth up a man, and there can be no opening. He increaseth the nations, and destroyeth them: he enlargeth the nations, and strait∣neth them, Iob 12. 9, 10. 14. 23.

Vers. 53. Unto these the land shall be divided] So [unspec 53] the naturall sons of Israel onely had inheritance; but under the Gospell it is prophesied, that the strangers also should have inheritance among the tribes; Ezek. 47. 22, 23. By this also it appeareth, that the tribes diminished had a double punish∣ment, losse of men, and a lesser inheritance in the holy land: both which are opposed to the cove∣nant and promise made to their fathers, w^ch stood on these two branches, multitude of children, and inheritance of the land, Gen. 12. 2. 7. and 13. 15, 16. and 15. 5. 8. 18. and 17. 2. 6. 8. and 22. 17. and 26. 3, 4. and 28. 13, 14. and 35. 11, 12. Sol. larchi here saith, To these and not to them that are lesse than twentie yeares old, although they came to full twentie before the division of the land. For loe the land was se∣ven yeares in conquering, &c. yet none had portion in the land but these six hundred thousand, & one thou∣sand: and if one of them had six sons, they received but their fathers portion onely. But Chazkuni refer∣reth it to the families, saying; To these the 57 fami∣lies reckoned here, shall the land be divided for inheri∣tance by the number of names, 57 portions according to the 57 heads of families. So it is written in Num. 33. 54. Ye shall divide the land by lot; for an inheri∣tance among your families. This figured, that onely such shall have their part in the kingdome of hea∣ven, as are chosen and called of God, and have their names written in the lambs booke of life, Rom. 8. 28, 29, 30. 1 Pet. 1. 2, 3, 4. 5. Rev. 21. 27.

Vers. 54. To the many] To the tribe and familie [unspec 54] w^ch hath many persons in it, Thou shalt give them the more (Hebr. thou shalt multiply his) inheritance. So the portions were not all equall in quantitie, but proportioned to the multitude of men in the tribes and families. To the tribes which had the grea∣ter multitudes, they gave the greater portion, though the portions were not equall: for lo every tribe had his portion according to his multitude; saith Sol. Iarchi on Num. 26. Hereupon the sons of Ioseph com∣plained of their small portion in respect of their great multitude, Ios. 17. 14.

Vers. 55. by lot] Although Eleazar the high [unspec 55] Priest, Iosua the governour, and 12 princes of the tribes, (appointed of God, Num. 34. 17, 18. &c.) were to divide the land; yet to cut off contention, and to shew the providence & disposition of God, according to the purpose of his will, hee com∣mandeth lots to be cast; for, The lot causeth conten∣tion to cease, and parteth betweene the mightie, Prov. 18. 18. and, The lot is cast into the lap, but the Whole disposing thereof is of the LORD, Pro. 16. 33. And the Hebrew Doctors say, The portions were not made but by lot, and the lot was by the mouth of the holy Ghost. Sol. Iarchi on Num. 26. The manner of do∣ing it was thus; First the land was by men divided into parts, according to the number of the tribes; as Iosua sent men to divide the land which remai∣ned into seven parts, and to describe it according to the inheritance of them, and so to bring the descrip∣tion unto him, that he might cast lots for them be∣fore the Lord. And they described it by cities, into seven parts, in a booke, and brought it to Iosua, who cast lots for them in Shiloh before the Lord; and so every tribe received as their lot came up, according to their families, Ios. 18. 4.—11. &c. Moreover, in the Hebrew records it is said, that it was not divided but by Vrim and Thummim, [which was the oracle of God in the brest-plate of the high Priest, Exo. 28. Num. 27. 21.] as it is said (in Num. 26. 56.) Accor∣ding to (or At the mouth of) the lot. When Eleazar was cloathed with Vrim and Thummim, & Iosua and all Israel stood before him, there was a Kalphi [a ves∣sell whereinto the lots were put, whereof see the Annotations on Lev. 16. 8.] of the Tribes names, and a Kalphi of the names of the limits (or bounds of the countries) set before him; and hee being dire∣cted by the holy Ghost, said; Naphtali commeth up, the limit Genasareth commeth up: he tooke out of the Kalphi of the tribes, and Naphtali came up in his hand; out of the Kalphi of the limits, and the limit Genasareth came up in his hand. And so for every tribe. Talmud Bab. in Baba bathra, c. 8. in Gemara, and Sol. Iarchi on Num. 26. But observe that the land within lordan was divided onely to nine tribes and an halfe, because two tribes & an halfe had their portion on the outside of Iordan, Num. 34. 13. 14, 15. By reason of this dividing the land by lot, the Scripture calleth inheritances by the name of Lets; as, Come up with me into my lot, Iudg. 1. 3. And not lands onely, but whatsoever befalleth unto men frō the hand of God, is called a lot; as, This is the por∣tion of them that spoile us, and the lot of them that rob us, Esay 17. 14. and, Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter, Act. 8. 21. and, That they may receive forgivenesse of sins, and a lot (that is, inheritance) a∣mong them which are sanctified by faith, &c. Act. 26. 18. &, The part of the lot, (that is, of the inheritance) of the Saints, in light, Col. 1. 12. So that in the Greek, used by the Apostles, Cleros, a lot, and Cleronomia a division by lot, is the common name of an inheri∣tance, 1 Pet. 5. 3. Ephes. 1. 14. 18.

Vers. 56. According to the lot] Hebr. At (or [unspec 56] Vpon) the mouth of the lot: as the lot (whereon the name of the tribe, or of the inheritance is written) shall speake. This lot being of the Lord, figured the diversities of gifts in the Church, which the Spirit of God divideth to every man severally 〈◊〉〈◊〉 will, 1 Cor. 12. 4.—11. as also the dispensation of his graces concerning our heavenly inheritance, which the Election onely obtaineth, that the pur∣pose of God according to election might stand, not of workes, but of him that calleth, Rom. 11. 7. and 9. 11.

Vers. 57. of the Levites] who though they had [unspec 57] no inheritance in the land, vers. 62. yet were they to have 48 cities and their suburbs for their habi∣tation, Num. 35. which also fell unto them by lot, Ios. 21. 4. &c.

Vers. 58. Korachites] or, Korhites, of Korah [unspec 58] the sonne of Izhar, the sonne of Kohath, the sonne of Levi, Num. 16. 1. Korah himselfe died in the rebellion, but his sonnes died not, Num. 26. 11. therefore they are reckoned here for a familie in the fourth generation from Levi, which is one de∣gree further than the other families. And where∣as in Exod. 6. 16. &c. there are reckoned of Ger∣shon two sonnes, Libni and Shimei; here the fami∣lie of the Libnites is mustered, but Shimei left out. There Kohath hath foure sonnes, Amram, and Is∣har, and Hebron, and Vzziel; here Vzziel is omit∣ted; neither is Ishar named, but in his sonnes the Korhites.

Vers. 59. she bare to Levi] by she understand [unspec 59] Levies wise, or Iochebeds mother: Sol. Iarchi ex∣poundeth it, his wise bare her in Egypt. she bare to Amram] that is, Iochebed Amrams wife, (who was also his aunt) bare to Amram, Exo. 6. 20. Marie] Hebr. Mirjam: she was a prophetesse: see Exod. 15. 20. Num. 12. 1.

Vers. 60. unto Aaron was borne] Here Moses [unspec 60] children, Gershon and Eliezer, are againe omitted: see the notes on Num. 3. 38.

Vers. 61. and Abihu died] and they had no sonnes, [unspec 61] Num. 3. 4. See the historie in Levit. 10.

Vers. 62. 23 thousand] who at the former num∣bring [unspec 62] were but 22 thousand, Num. 3. 39. So they increased in the wildernesse a thousand males.

Vers. 65. dying they shall die] i. they shall surely [unspec 65] die: this was threatned for their rebellion, & refu∣sing to go into the promised land, Nū. 14. and the fulfilling of Gods judgment is here shewed. and Iosoua] in Greeke, Iesus the son of Naue: these two survived, because they faithfully followed the Lord, Num. 14. 24. 38. See the Annotations there. In that, all the rest were dead save these two, it sheweth that all the 600 thousand men now mu∣stered, which should conquer Canaan, were a vali∣ant company, betweene 20 and 60 yeares of age, (none being above 60 but Caleb and Iosua;) and as they were in body, so in minde, being trained up these 38 yeares in the study of the Law and or∣dinances of God, and beholding his workes, ha∣ving Moses and Aaron for their leaders, and Gods good spirit for their instructer, Neh. 9. 20.